South African president offers condolence on Iran plane crash

“We extend our condolences to His Excellency President Hassan Rouhani, the Government and the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The South African people stand with the Iranian people, particularly the families of the victims, during this time of mourning,” South African television news broadcaster 'eNCA' quoted Cyril Ramaphosa as saying in a statement released by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

An ATR passenger plane belonging to Aseman Airline crashed close to Semirom, south of Isfahan Province, on Sunday when it was flying from Tehran to Yassouj, southwestern Iran.

All 66 passengers and crew members on board the plane lost their lives in the incident.

Some 20 rescue teams have been stationed near the wreckage of the crashed plane to transport the dead bodies. It has been announced that 32 bodies have been spotted. The bodies will be transported to Yassouj, capital city of Kohkiloyeh-Boyer Ahmad Province for identification.

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